Special Coverage

Tantoo very easy to like

CALGARY, Alberta - The horse-for-course adage aptly describes Tantoo, who has been virtually unbeatable at Stampede Park the past few springs.

Last April, Tantoo won her first four races, moving steadily up the claiming ladder for trainer Dale Greenwood.

Jockey Quincy Welch had her in front every step of the way in each victory, and will be reunited with the 7-year-old Tantoo in Sunday's featured $21,900 allowance for fillies and mares at four furlongs.

There are other enticements to wager on Tantoo besides her sparkling local record. She always breaks alertly, a must in these half-mile dashes around one turn, and is a superior off-track performer. And on March 30 she turned in a bullet work of 47.20 seconds going four furlongs, the best of 65 at the distance.

Tantoo campaigns for different interests this spring after Rick Hedge claimed her out of a victory over $25,000 claimers in her final start here last June.

Hedge and new owner Kathy Kozak were immediately rewarded when Tantoo beat tough allowance company a month later at Northlands Park. It was her fifth straight victory in 2002.

That win turned out to be her last of the campaign, as she tailed off in midsummer, and Hedge sent her home in late September.

Tantoo will break from post 4 in Sunday's field of seven and will face a challenge immediately to her inside from Brighton Belle.

A 5-year-old, Brighton Belle made just three starts last year but is a multiple stakes winner and was widely regarded as the quickest of her sex here at 3.